Tuesday Was Sweet and Sexy

Did I tell you about Tuesday? I ♥ my family!

I found Josiah wreaking havoc in his sister's bedroom---
but in a good way...

Maybe books are just more fun when they're
discovered in someone else's space?

I think Josiah was so proud for me to catch him "reading"
all by himself like a big boy!

Next, I got the kids dressed & ready to go out for dinner once Chris got off work. They're just so darn cute!

Dinner was yummy...but since Chris left work later than expected, we ate dinner later than expected, and poor Siah was just too pooped to party. He checked out the appetizer menu, then soon began to rack out right there at the table! Note my right-handed hubby holding the fork in his left hand? Chris ate this way so Josiah could rest against his arm.

↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑
THAT is the kind of thing that makes my heart flutter
for my sweet and sexy hubby!

Kyleigh's Donations

Earlier this week we sorted through some of Kyleigh's belongings. We discussed with Kyleigh the fact that she has soooo many stuffed animals and is such a fortunate girl to have been gifted so many creatures to love. Yes, these have been gifted to her! I think we've only purchased 1 of the stuffed animals seen in the video below, and that was on her 2nd birthday! LOL

And we reminded Kyleigh that there are other babies and big kids out there (she sees the world as 'babies', 'big kids', & 'grownups') who don't have such special things. We told her that we know she loves them all, but wondered if there were any dolls she might want to gift to some other kids so they could share that kind of love as well. And she wanted to!

***If you read this and think, "Oh, she doesn't understand all that"...
you're wrong. Sorry, you just are. She DOES understand. We've discussed her whole life the belief that "It's good to give". When Josiah came along, she generously and independently gave of her toys and assistance; and almost a year later she still shares her toys and helps bring him fresh diapers/wipes & pacifiers because it is natural for her. We also teach her about kids who don't have clothes, shoes, or food, as we desire for her heart to stay loving toward her neighbors around the world. If you're a parent, we hope you give your kids such opportunities---don't underestimate the pure, tender heart of a child!

Chris and I were going to reduce the amount of stuffed animals one way or another, but seeing that our daughter had a giving heart and was ready and willing to sort these beloved toys almost brought us to tears! We wanted to give her a chance to practice giving, but also give her a chance to keep things she wasn't quite ready to part with (I don't like clutter, but I'm not so cold-hearted that I'd rip away her favorite snuggly luvs!). She thought long and hard about some of the dolls, and ultimately she gave away more than she kept--so sweet!

If you watch the video, you'll see her big "give away" pile, and then the small collection to the side of the laundry basket are the few Kyleigh decided to keep. We plan for most of these items to be donated to a charity or organization similar to THIS, and I'll be sharing more in the coming days about some of the charities/giving opportunities that tug at my heart strings.

If you watch the video below and see her parting with something you gifted her, please know that each and every doll has been loved and cared for and held a special 'home' in her bedroom. Also, for each item she parted with, she loved on and said a farewell to it. We can't and won't keep all her babyhood/childhood stuff just for sentimental reasons, but that is in NO WAY an indication we're anything but grateful for every single possession so generously gifted to us or our kids! Sometimes it's just time to pass that love along.

Things to know about this video before you watch:

1)Kyleigh chose that outfit: t-shirt, pj pants, and a belt.
She's 2--I'd say she did alright!

2)No, we don't keep a case of soda in the livingroom!
Josiah pushes the empty box around the house!

Great Deals!

Here are some of the great random deals
I've come across in the past couple weeks:

1) Lip Tint from B & BW:
***FREE!***
Using a coupon, it was free w/ purchase, so I made a $1.00 gift bag purchase ('cuz I needed that exact size gift bag for a gift!)




2) New dress for me:
Orig. Price = $39.99
Sale Price = $29.99
Promo Code = 20% OFF $29.99
Promo Code = Free Shipping
Add some tax in there somewhere...
Total Paid = $25

I've got plans for this dress!










3) 17 childrens books:
Total: $30
Some 'classics', incl. Dr Seuss, for about $2/ea, plus a couple paperbacks for FREE! Would like to have spent less, still a great find!




4) 24pk Crayola Crayons
$0.75 paid w/ pocket change so Practically FREE!






5) VTech Tote N' Go Laptop Plus



Orig. Price = $19.99 to $29.99
I paid only... $9 ('open box')
Kyleigh LOVES this fun new toy, I love that it's educational!



6) Bracelets for little girls:
Got 4/$1
(2 for KyKy, 2 for my sis)







7) Kids' Holiday Outfits:
Intended for our December family photo...
add red accessories + necktie and VOILA!
Both items (Yup, total!)= $15


(I typically don't purchase that many seasons ahead, but the kids have been growing at a steady rate, so it should be ok)



8) Misc. everyday items:

Pringles= Buy one, get one free
*used coupon for the one w/ cost
= pocket change for 2 cans

Tootpaste= Sale, was $2 now $1
*used $1 off coupon
=FREE toothpaste!

Hair Care= John Frieda
*Orig. $6.50/ea item, or get deal of 4 for $20 (save $6)
*Better than deal above is:
~Buy 4/$20 & Get rebate of $10!

So I got all those grocery items for just over $10!
----------------------------------------------------------

VO5 Shampoo/Conditioner= $0.69 ea

Using a coupon for $1 off of 4 items...
$0.69x4
=$2.76
-$1.00
----------
=$1.76 for 4 items

(I did this 3 times, having 3 coupons)

$0.69x12
=$8.28
-$3.00 (3 coupons)
----------
=$5.28
+6% tax
----------
=$5.60 for 12 items (approx $0.47 each in the end!)

Highs/Lows This Week

***Update:
Additional highs--
~Scored a pair of $4.00 shoes at Payless today!

~I tried on pants and discovered I'm a smaller size!

High(s) for the week:

*Chiropractic visits...

this week I began twice-weekly visits with Dr. A!
Bye-bye chronic back pain!

*Family time...

one day this week we got lots of errands, chores, & appts crammed into the a.m., got a nap, got to grill out,
and Chris got to play outside with the kids! Yay!
(I played, too, but was mostly ecstatic to see a Daddy chillin' w/ his kiddos--he longs for more of those moments!)

*Washer & Dryer...

seriously, WoWsA! So glad we found that great deal...
a properly-functioning washer & dryer make my ♥ happy!

*Shoe deal...

found Josiah some shoes--
2 for $5! They're a little big now, but he'll grow into them so the deal was too good to pass up!

*Excited for Sunday...

we're actually getting an extremely rare chance to
attend church as a family!

Low for the week:

*Housekeeping has piled up...

my chiropractor instructed me NOT to sweep or mop *Darn*

Family Fun

Chris and I really appreciate sharing quality time together (whenever we can manage to scrounge some up!), and certainly quality time with our kids. My hubby's work hours stand in the way of the gobs of family time we'd prefer to bask in on a constant basis, so instead we're left to appreciate each random moment we can snatch! Sometimes after the kids go to bed, the hubster and I chat about our respective days over a delightfully fun game of Scrabble ('Upwords' version). Some moments get serious/competitive, others are sweet-natured fun. Either way, good times!

Today in particular, Chris was off work so we accomplished some interior chores, exterior landscaping, some errands, and three appointments by Noon! Oh, and after lunch all 4 people in this house napped for two hours simultaneously! We wore the kids out, and as soon as they went down the hubby and I plopped our heads on our pillows, too! Sure, we could have used that two hours to get some things done, but today a nap was completely in order (those of you who know where I was late last night for 3 agonizingly long hrs will agree)!
Later in the afternoon we all played in the backyard while grilling some Teriyaki chicken! Yummy! The kids couldn't wait to get out--especially Josiah, who was mesmerized by the strange light he'd seen shining through the windows since he first awoke in the morning (aka "sunshine")!

Didn't get any pics of my sweetie Siah & me, *sob*, but he's all over the place and hard to wrangle for a photo these days! I did get a cute one with Kyleigh, though! And after Josiah and I had come inside, Chris and Kyleigh stayed outside on the patio steps together chatting, so of course I snapped some pics of their quality father/daughter time! Hmm, what else? Oh, before bed we had some crazy tickle-time! Our kids love to be tickled--which I can't understand, for I find it torturous. But that's what they like, so that's what they get!

PRAYING FOR STELLAN!

I'm praying for Stellan today, and I hope you'll join me.

Do you know about Stellan? You can read HERE.

I encourage you to read the whole story, leading up to today, and lift this sweet boy up to our Lord. In case you don't read, I'll tell you this boy has had health/heart issues since the womb, then beat the odds to be born and he went home healthy, but ended up in the hospital a few weeks ago, and is having heart surgery today. There are serious risks. But this family believes that whatever the outcome, to God be the glory! Me, too (though, truthfully, I can't even wrap my head around how these parents feel).

Searching for Shoes

Where do you shop for your shoes???

This week I'm seeking shoes for myself and each of the kids. Haven't found any thing at a "yippee" price locally yet, so I'm hoping maybe someone reading this post will have suggestions for shoes at a great price???

For Josiah:
I've heard these are good for learning to walk, or these...

BUT, I'm NOT wanting to pay that much! Why would I pay $50 for a baby's shoes which he'll outgrow in just moments?

Kyleigh had a pair of these shoes we got on sale at a Shoe Carnival last Spring/Summer, and of course eventually outgrew them. She loved them, and so did I because they had traction & sturdiness of a tennis shoe, but were sweet enough to wear w/ a Spring dress---
in my world, that's great for a toddler who runs while wearing dresses! If I get a pair that tackles both those issues, I may be able to avoid getting sandals in addition. (She already has brown/pink dress shoes plus hightop-style sneakers, so I'm looking for a fun/casual in-between pair of shoes.)

And for me... I need casual-but-sturdy shoes, too. I currently have a pair that's somewhere in between these two style options pictured below, which are both found at Payless Shoe Source. Mine are TOTALLY worn out, and I'm seeking a new pair...probably in a shade of brown since I wear a lot of green, brown or neutral colors. I don't want something too ballet-flat looking, nor something too athletic. I have dressy shoes, and I have sneakers. I need everyday, comfortable, mom-on-the-go shoes!

Easter Was A Week Ago???

No, I didn't forget Easter, I just haven't posted pics yet and my family has been waiting on me...sorry I'm behind.
Easter weekend was lovely. Short family weekend, but nice.

(We tried this pic about 7 or 8 times, never once getting every person to look at the camera. Eventually we decided all that mattered was that we were each in the pic!)

We enjoyed giving our kids and my little sister their Easter gifts. I don't know if the kids were as excited about the presents as the adults, but maybe it's because they were sleepy or hungry at the time--I don't know, but their gifts ROCK! Grandma and Grandpa always gift our kids with fun stuff!

Plus, Kyleigh totally benefited from clothes past along from her younger Auntie, too. Tons of clothes for Spring/Summer---Thank You So Much! Here's Kyleigh enjoying some of those items this past week (not sure all the outfits were meant to be matched up this way, but KyKy likes to pick her own clothes, & this is what she paired up!)--

Kyleigh got sidewalk chalk as one of her Easter gifts from Chris and me, and it was her first time using any! You'd be surprised how many fun things she has to miss out on due to her food allergies! You might wonder what outdoor toys/games have to do with food allergies... Well, take PlayDoh for example--it contains wheat, which is the LAST thing our daughter needs to touch! Click here to see an example of Kyleigh touching something she's severly allergic to! So yeah, we're careful with food as well as toys/games that have any preservatives or additives or dyes, and thankfully the colorful sidewalk chalk seemed to be just fine!

Thanks to the sunshine, the girls got to run, run, run outside and use up all their energy before nap time. What a beautiful day for sidewalk chalk, bubble fun, and kicking a ball (or two or three) around the front yard! Sadly, Josiah was already napping during our outdoor adventures, so he missed out on a little fun :(. But he got his Grandma/Grandpa snuggles later!

Oh, and I mentioned in a previous post that the kids would get to unwrap some additional gifts once we got back home, right? Well, Kyleigh already owns a coat rack, upon which she LOVES to hang up her own jackets and sweaters--she feels so proud when she does all the responsible, big girl stuff! Seriously, when she comes home from somewhere, she removes then hangs her coat; then she sits down, removes her shoes, and puts them in the closet! So we got a coat rack for Josiah because as he starts walking, he'll also be learning to clean up his toys and hang up his coats--and that time is coming up quickly! For Kyleigh we got a Zebra-adorned nightlight. She likes to read before bed--by herself, doesn't like Mom or Dad to read to her! The lamp in her room is too bright, and she loves animals, so this light was perfect! Oh, and those two gifts were only $2.50 ea. at Target, yay!